Skylaunch will be exhibing our world beating Evo winch from the Southern California Soaring Academy at the SSA in Reno this year.
Please come and see us at booth 6 on the 1st - 3rd March.

December 2017 - Skylaunch Kit Winches

There is growing interest in kit winches for clubs wanting nearly all the benefits of a Skylaunch winch system but at a lower cost. It also encourages team working projects for club members on non flying days.

This new Skylaunch V8 LPG powered heavy duty Helikite winch was delivered to the Institute for Atmosphere and Climate at the ETH University in Zurich, Switzerland (the University attended by Albert Einstein)

August 2017 - UAV / Drone mounted Winch project

A new design for a small winch was commissioned, designed and built by Skylaunch for UNICEF.
This winch will be used on UAV / Drone aircraft for making much needed Vaccination drops on the Vanuatu Islands in the South Pacific.

July 2017 - New order for a Skylaunch Evolution Winch to Japan

Meiji University Gliding Club in Japan have now placed an order for a new Skylaunch Evolution glider winch, with a folding roof to fit into their hanger.

This winch will be fitted with Skyrope launch cables.

July 2017 - New order for a Skylaunch Helikites Winch

Allsopp Helikites have ordered a new design Skylaunch Special Project winch with a V8 engine and large capacity cable drum, for Zurich University in Switerland.

July 2017 - Design upgrade for Skylaunch Aerochutes

Following a design review, Skylaunch now supply all our popular Aerochute parachutes with a compact metal eyelet connection for ease of use and durability.

The Aerochutes, as with all our Parachutes, are available in lightweight, hard wearing Poly woved white "Hessian" material as well as Red, Yellow, Blue and Orange PVC.

A new Evo twin drum winch (8.2 liter V8 LPG engine) using Dyneema launch cables. It was commissioned for Ron Greg from the Southern California Soaring Academy at our local Staffordshire club in England, before shipping to the USA. Pilot and winch driver training in California are planned for later this year.

May 2017 - New Large aerostat Helikite winch for Germany

This new V8 powered heavy duty Helikite winch was commissioned in the UK before delivery to the Max Planck Institute in Germany

April 2017 - – Skylaunch exhibits at Aero 2017

Many thanks to everyone who came to visit us at our stand this year at Aero 2017. We exhibited 1 new and 1 re-engineered winch at the busy Aero Show in Friedrichshafen.

April 2017 - New model lineup

New model lineup for 2017. One exciting new model and updates to existing models gives us this latest lineup for 2017 - The EVO, The ECO and the new UNO.More details....

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April 2017 - UNO single drum winch

New UNO, single drum design winch using many of the EVO's proven components at a more affordable price. For clubs with a tight budget but still has around 80% of the launch rate of a twin drum model and gives the fastest possible launch rate when used with a retrieve winch.

In addition to the extensive range of upgrades, parts, spares, repairs an re-engineering we offer for all non Skylaunch winches, we now offer an upgrade to fit Skylaunch pulley / roller units to Mel / Van Gelder winches.

These proven design pulley / roller units are suitable for use with Dyneema or steel launch cables and can help extend the life of the cables.

We will be exhibiting again this year at Aero 2017 from the 5th April to the 8th April. Please call in and see us in Hall B5 - stand 005.

January 2017 - Cambridge Gliding Club - Re-engineered Winch delivered

A Tost winch, fully re-engineered by Skylaunch was delivered to Cambridge Gliding Club. This winch is fitted with a 7.4L GM V8 fuelled by LPG, and is using 5mm Dyneema launch cables.
Pictures show the winch before re-engineering and after.

December 2016 – Helikites Winch – New Special order

Allsopp Helikites have ordered a new design Skylaunch Special Project winch with a V8 engine and extra large capacity cable drum, for operation in Germany.

November 2016 - Cambridge Gliding Club - Winch build

A Tost winch, fully re-engineered by Skylaunch is currently being built for Cambridge Gliding Club. This winch is fitted with a big block GM V8 engine fuelled by LPG.

October 2016 - Winch truck restoration

A 1954 REO 6x6 truck is restored at Skylaunch. An old Tost winch was mounted on the rear of this truck until it was scrapped, leaving the truck with very low mileage. As it was too good to scrap, it has been lovingly restored and converted to run on LPG.

September 2016 - Helikites Winch Delivery

Special winch is delivered to Allsopp Helikites (see July news below).

Four people from Waseda University visited Lasham Gliding Society (England) for training with their new Skylaunch Evolution winch before it is shipped to Japan.

July 2016 - Helikites winch - New order

Allsopp Helikites have ordered a new Skylaunch winch for modernising the communications systems and upgrading to digital in the far East, due for delivery at the end of August.

June 2016 - Upgrades to Buckminster's winch

Buckminster Gliding Club's (Saltby Airfield) Skylaunch winch (1999) has been fitted with various upgrades, including automatic tow-out brakes, repairs and new paintwork. This winch is using Skyrope cables.

May 2016 - Aviation Club of Waseda University, Japan - New winch order

Waseda University have ordered a new Skylaunch Evolution twin drum winch (8.2L V8 Petrol EFI) for delivery in August. Representatives from the club will travel to the UK in mid August to undergo training on their new winch before it is shipped to Japan. This winch will be fitted with 1400m long Dyneema cables.

The new Skylaunch Evolution twin drum winch (8.2L V8 Petrol EFI) has now arrived at Wellington Gliding Club, New Zealand. Mike Groves and Simon Adlard flew out to give winch and glider pilot training, and would like to thank everyone at Wellington Gliding Club for their kind hospitality. This winch is fitted with 2500m long Dyneema cables.

April 2016 - Ballenstedt, Germany - Winch delivery

A Tost winch, fully re-engineered by Skylaunch was delivered to Ballenstedter Aeroclub e.V. Germany. This winch is fitted with a new V8 engine fuelled by LPG, extra wide low ground pressure wheels, and is using Dyneema launch cables.

March 2016 - Wellington Gliding Club, New Zealand - Winch shipping

A new Skylaunch Evolution twin drum winch (8.2L V8 Petrol EFI) was packed into a container and is now on its way to New Zealand. Skylaunch will be flying out for winch and glider pilot training once it arrives. This winch is fitted with Dyneema cables.

A new Skylaunch Evolution twin drum winch (8.2L V8 LPG) was delivered to BWND GC at 'The Park'. This winch is fitted with Skyrope launch cables.

February 2016 - Upgrades to RAF GSA Winch

The original winch from RAF Bicester has been in operation for 17 years and over 150,000 launches. Now it has returned from filming on the latest Bond movie, it has been upgraded including automatic tow-out brakes, pulley roller boxes and a paintwork respray. This winch is using Dyneema cables.

February 2016 - Skylaunch exhibits at SSA Convention, USA

Skylaunch were pleased to welcome many visitors to our stand at the Soaring Society of America Convention in Greenville, South Carolina. Many thanks to all those who came to see us.

January 2016 - Italian Air Force, Winch delivery

A new Skylaunch Evolution twin drum winch (6.6L V8 turbo diesel) was delivered to the air base at Guidonia near Rome and their personnel were trained in operation and maintenance. This winch is fitted with Dyneema cables.